...“Still I Rise” An Inspiring Poem by Maya Angelou “Still I Rise”, a poem written by Maya Angleou in 1978, is a poem that demonstrates an inner strength of determination in accomplishing and overcoming obstacles in life. “Still I Rise”, and other poems created by Maya Angelou, may offer inspiring words of encouragement for many individuals who may be dealing with certain difficult situations in their life. Maya Angelou was born in 1928 in St. Louis Missouri. At a very young age she experienced a very traumatic experience that inspired her to become the person that she is today. During the time that her parents decided to end their marriage, she went to reside with her mother. While residing with her mother, she was sexually assaulted and raped by her mother’s boyfriend. Maya Angelou was scared, hurt, and humiliated. Not knowing where else to turn, she informed her brother of the incident. Upon hearing this, he decided it was best to inform their family. Her mother’s boyfriend was sent to jail; however, he was killed shortly after his release. When Maya Angelou found out about the death of her mother’s boyfriend, she became withdrawn and stopped speaking or talking for several years. She began to blame herself for what had happened to her mother’s boyfriend, because she felt that due to her telling what happened resulted in his death. As time passed, Maya Angelou went to reside with her grandmother. She was embraced by a close family friend who encouraged her to talk...
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...Peoples English IV CP Blankenship 3/21/14 Maya Angelou Known as one of the most influential voices of our time, Dr. Maya Angelou is a global renaissance woman, a celebrated poet, novelist, educator and holds many other titles. She has proven the point that sex and race cannot hinder dreams and goals. In this paper, Dr. Maya Angelou’s failures as well as successes will be recognized and discussed. Born on April 4th, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Angelou was raised in St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas. Maya Angelou's former name was Marguerite Ann Johnson. Maya got the nickname from her older brother Bailey, who had a speech issue and could not pronounce Marguerite (Longly, 2013). He started calling her Maya because he read a book on Mayan indians, and the name stuck. In Stamps, Dr. Angelou experienced the brutality of racial discrimination, but she also absorbed the unshakable faith and values of traditional African-American family, community, and culture (Angelou, 2012). Growing up in Stamps, AK, Angelou learned what it was like to be a black girl in a world whose boundaries were set by whites (Longly, 2013). As a child, she always dreamed of waking to find her "nappy black hair" metamorphosed to a long blond bob because she felt life was better for a white girl than for a black girl (Franks, n.d.). Despite the odds, her grandmother instilled pride in Angelou with religion as an important element in their home. Maya Angelou contributed to black history by publicizing...
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...Hear Her Roar: The Feminist Strengths in Phenomenal Woman and Still I Rise Trista James English Composition 1102 Professor Cameron Indian River State College April 10, 2013 Maya Angelou Maya Angelou Abstract Growing up during times of common race and gender discrimination, Maya Angelou has proven to people she is a strong African American woman who would not allow inequality of any kind bring her down. This paper describes the feminist strengths Angelou refers to and implies in her two famous poems Phenomenal Woman and Still I Rise. Hear Her Roar: The Feminist Strengths in Phenomenal Woman and Still I Rise Maya Angelou was born in the South on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis Missouri. Throughout most of her life she was raised in Arkansas, which in turn subjected her to a life full of brutal discrimination. Angelou was given a gift that no other of her time had. Over a hundred poems published, they all consist of words of wisdom and strength to some degree. In her two poems Phenomenal Woman and Still I Rise, Angelou reveals her, “I am a woman hear me roar” attitude she is best known for. This paper depicts the feminist strengths in her two poems Phenomenal Woman and Still I Rise. For a female to have an “I am a woman hear me roar” attitude, she must have patience, confidence in herself, and never rely on anyone else for financial or...
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...Both Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou explores the topic of discrimination. Of Mice and Men tells the tale of the unlikely bond that forms between protagonist and antagonist, George and Lennie. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is a poem that used different types of birds to symbolize opposites in society. This poem can be interpreted as the black race being restricted from the privileges that white people acquire. Of Mice and Men and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" illustrates the theme that people should not be hindered from any form of success because of who they are. In Of Mice and Men, the theme is conveyed through the most obvious form of discrimination depicted in the novella,...
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...In "The New Directions"by Maya Angelou The story talks about a hard worker woman which is Anne Johnson the life was so bad with her 1. her falture in her marrage 2. Her husband take all the money when travel to Oklhama. Then she start by creating a new direction for it self first by planing meticulously second by training third by starting the progress to work as a cooker to two factories the lumber mill and the cotton gin then she work for a years when her costumer depend on her she built a stall between them then she built market. This is the "New Directions" by Maya Angelou. Mrs. Annie Johnson the main character in the New Directions is Maya Angelous grandmother. Maya Angelou is the writer. Annie Johnson is the same person called Momma and Mrs Henderson in " I know why the caged bird sings" which was maya Angelous childhood story. In this essay maya explains how her grandmother pursued a goal of providing for her family (2 sons) at the end of the turning century, economic success was not easy for an African American woman. In many parts of the countrydiscrimination kept African Americans from obtaining an education or high paying jobs. In addition to that being a woman. Woman were considered being men's inferiors and were excluded from the best jobs. Many African American woman could only find work as servants, such as cooks or maids. Annie Johnson however was determined to overcome these obstacles. Starting off by dumping her husband, him taking everything including all...
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...K. Weir English 1020 Prof. T. M. November 24, 2009 Still I rise: Against all Odds Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-American author, poet, historian, and civil rights activist in the United States. Growing up in the South, she continues to face greater challenges for both being black and a woman. Most of her literary works, if not all, provide not only messages of oppression, and moments of unhappiness, but have a rich context of triumphs, resilience and hope. Angelou’s poem, “Still I Rise” can be viewed from both cultural and historical perspectives. As a source of inspiration, the poem shows African Americans and women that the human spirit can transcend difficulties. In her poem, “Still I Rise,” Maya Angelou includes sturdy themes of racial oppression, personal value, cultural pride, and fervent optimism To observation of racial oppression as a theme in Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise,” can be view from a historical perspective base on diction used through out the poem. DiYanni states, “The older form of historical criticism, still in use today, insists that a literary work be read with a sense of the time and place of its creation….Understanding the social conditions and the intellectual currents of that time and the world illuminate literary works for later generations of readers” (2166). It is not a secret that racial oppression against African Americans originates from slavery. The residue of racial oppression is not just about physical bondage, but also mental...
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...Diana Hocker January 20, 2015 English Period 8 _______________Maya Angelou was an African American poet, singer, and actress who influenced the world through her writing. Her compositions, including songs, poems, and speeches, relate to her experiences in life, in which she faced racism, rape, and the stereotypes of African Americans. Angelou’s poems were written with various underlying themes, based upon the events that she faced, but was then able to overcome. Maya Angelou, through her autobiographical poems, “Phenomenal Woman” and “Still I Rise”, conveys to readers the importance of inner strength and perseverance to overcome obstacles.__________________ One of the most prominent themes in both “Phenomenal Woman” and “Still...
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...Running head: Analysis of “Still I Rise” 1 Analysis of “Still I Rise” When reading, “Still I Rise”, by Maya Angelou, I immediately get a sense of perseverance and pride. The author seems to be addressing her adversaries directly through her words. I love the imagery used in this poem. I can almost see the dust rising and can feel the swelling of the black ocean that the author mentions. “Cause I walk like I got oil wells pumping in my living room”(Angelou, 1978), and, “Laugh like I’ve got gold mines diggin’ in my own back yard” (Angelou, 1978), tells me that the author feels that her life is joyous and priceless, and can’t be taken away. As the phrase, “I Rise” (Angelou, 1978), is repeated again and again, it’s as if I can hear the author’s voice becoming louder and louder, declaring that her spirit will not be broken. It is the voice of someone who has not only persevered, but has triumphed and now thrives! “Still I Rise” was published in 1978, during the postmodern era. This was a period that saw much political and social change, particularly for African Americans. The 60’s brought about desegregation and the signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Maya Angelou lived in the South, Arkansas, for a time during her childhood. There was much white resistance to the ending of segregation in the Southern states. During the 60’s and 70’s, many American cities were swept by race riots. Civil Rights activists organized marches and protests around the country...
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...Ludwika Dorbecker Per.2 Ms.Harter April 12th, 2016 Analysis of “Africa” by Maya Angelou “Africa” by Maya Angelou poem provides a substantial amount of vivid illustrations by using rhythm and personification enhancing both imagery and tone of the poem, to describe the conflict Africa went throughout time; and how it rose to a better Africa. Throught the stanzas each have different tones through the rhythm of the meters. For example, the tones of the poem move from a pleasant to contemplative. The dactylic meter of the first stanza imitates the sound of distant drums beating in Africa, giving a tense and desperate mood. In the first stanza, Maya uses imagery and personification to describe the beautiful woman who everyone desires, “Sugarcane sweet desert, her hair, golden her feet,” (line 2-3). The reader cannot help but admire it’s beauty. The reverential and meditative tone gives us the feeling of admiration and the feeling to love this woman, in other words Africa. Although africa is shown as a woman with eternal beauty , Africa is also described as a sad and depressed woman; “Two niles her tears” (Line 6). After all Africa is passing through the violence of the Europeans, “thus she has lain, Black through the years” (Line 7-8). This shows how the colonization of Africa has been the same throughout the years, without change. This hurts africa, because her hometown and her soul are forced to change without letting her make any decisions of her own. Africa is being raped...
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...person you later in life”. In “I know why the caged bird sings” by Maya Angelou; Maya writes a lot about things she had to overcome as a child. Maya went through the trauma of displacement, racism, and being raped; especially at a young age and I believe a lot of what she had to deal with and how she reacted made her the respected woman she is today. Maya was only four years old when she was shipped off and ditched by her parents to live with their grandma in the South. At such a young age she already knows the feeling of abandonment from this. When she and Bailey arrive in Stamps, the note posted on their bodies is not addressed to Annie Henderson whom we later find out is “Momma” to them, but rather “To Whom It May Concern.” Maya starts to have trouble believing that she belongs anywhere. But who wouldn’t moving from place to place. “If growing up is painful for the southern black girl, being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat. It is an unnecessary insult.” This from the prologue and probably from an adult mind of Maya or maybe a little bit older than her age when her separation actually happed. It’s so sad because all she really knows is her brother bailey who is just a year older than her. He’s the only thing that really stayed constant in her life. A lot of that feeling could’ve probably been diminished if she would have at least had one parent with her. Maya had problems dealing with racism and how she viewed herself at such...
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...Analysis of "Still I Rise" Initial Thoughts I have always enjoyed Maya Angelou's poetry. After reading "Still I Rise" I have a feeling of joy and pride. I picture the struggles she must have gone thru throughout her life. I imagine the pain and hurt she has endured and yet she is still a confident, secure, black woman. I feel as though she is taunting and chastising those that have ridiculed her: "Does my sassiness upset you?," "Does my haughtiness offend you?," and "Does my sexiness offend you?". I picture her speaking these words to those that have hindered her with a smile on her face, filled with confidence. I rejoice in her strength. I applaud her for standing up for herself and others that have gone thru the same suffering. I love how she states an insult that she has received and comes back with self assurance and a relentless stance: "still I'll rise." The wittiness is comical and clever: "'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room," "'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own back yard," and " That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs?" Historical Context Angelou, a Postmodernism poet, wrote "Still I Rise" in 1978. Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928 as Marguerite Johnson (Biography.com). Angelou grew up during an age with racial prejudice and gender inequality in the United States. African Americans did not get the right to vote until 1965. Even to this day, there are still racial tensions...
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...Still I Rise by Maya Angelou is a very moving ballad poem, and has a positive and strong tone throughout it. The main theme of this poem is discrimination. It portrays a strong woman living with confidence and a positive attitude. The reason why I chose to write my essay on Still I Rise is because it has a very powerful message. Although this poem was written in 1978, I feel as if anyone can relate to it even in this time period. Everybody experiences discrimination at some point in their lives, and this poem teaches readers to have pride and hope in their selves in order to overcome any obstacle that comes their way. There are quite a few poetic devices in the poem I will be focusing on such as similes, metaphors, repetition and imagery. All of these devices create an overall powerful poem. Angelou incorporates several similes throughout her poem. The first simile is at the end of the first stanza, where she compares herself to dust; "But still, like dust, I'll rise." This particular simile also depicts imagery, as it creates a picture of a rising cloud of dust in his or her mind. Another simile is "Just like moons and like suns", found on the first line of the third stanza. This compares how Angelou continues to raise herself emotionally every day to stay strong, just like how the sun and the moon both rise every day no matter the circumstance. The writer's use of similes deepens the meaning of the poem by giving the reader a perceptible connection to the profound themes...
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...Hannah Pelfresne Christine Garlough GWS-102 Section 306 17 December 2014 Final Exam Women face problems while working in terms of harassment, hostile reputations, and unequal pay. According to lecture, harassment is defined as the verbal and physical misconduct because of race, gender, etc. to intimidate and create hostile environments. Harassment in white male dominated work occurs most often with women especially women of minority (Berdahl and Moore). This discourages women from feeling comfortable and taking initiative in the workforce out of fear. It can also have long-lasting emotional and physical effects on women. Also, women who hold high positions often face hostility from their counterparts. For example, if a man holds a high position at a company he is seen as a strong, commanding leader. Women are often seen as bossy or unapproachable. Although women make up 46.7% of the workforce, they still aren’t receiving equal pay compared to their male coworkers (Patten and Parker). According to lecture, the Gender Wage Gap reports women currently earning 78 cents to a man’s dollar. So one can infer that about half of the workforce is earning twenty-two cents less the other half just because of their biological makeup. This leads to thousands of dollars in lost wages, or lost income that would help drive the economy (Garlough). There are negative effects to women’s role in work because of how society is socially constructed. For example, being a stay...
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...Jacob Smith October 14th, 2013 English 111.140 Pigs in Jerseys? The two essays “The Roar of the Crowd” by David P. Barash and “Champion of the World” by Maya Angelou are vastly different in their opinion of the importance of sports, and the how that it effects the world around us. These essays depict the emotional power that sports have on people. While reading the essay “The Roar of the Crowd” you cannot help but picture an avid sports fan throwing down the essay with bitter disgust, because the arguments that it presents. Comparing sports fans that “root, root, root” for their favorite team to that of the activity of “pigs in the mud”. Even if you are an extreme sports lover and paint your face and pay top dollar just to be a few more inches closer from your favorite team of player, you cannot help but to read this article and understand where Barash is getting these opinions. Such as when Barash points out that we get a sense of identity when we throw on the home team’s jersey and join the sports frenzy. He also disuses the way that children are exceptionally prone to the delusion of latching on to idol like that of a star athlete and pouring there entire life into a person that can hit or throw a ball freakishly good rather than that of a brilliant mind like Einstein(Barash 363). Barash’s Main argument is that we have completely engulfed ourselves into these sports, played between a bunch of “spoiled millionaire players” (Barash 362). While forgetting things that...
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...Maya Angelou's Early Life Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928. Maya and her brother, Bailey, moved to live with their grandmother after the divorce of their parents. The move to Stamps, Arkansas forced Maya to encounter much racism. Despite prevalent racism in town, Maya's grandmother always made sure to teach Maya and her brother strong values. At the age of eight, Maya's mother, Vivian, took the children back to live with her in St. Louis. Shortly after the move, Maya was raped by her mother's live-in boyfriend. This traumatic event caused Maya to become mute for a period of time afterward and withdraw from family and friends. It also created a major rift between Maya and Vivian. At thirteen, Maya moved to San Francisco where she attended George Washington High School and received a scholarship to the California Labor School for dance and drama classes. Maya was one of the only black students in her school and found life in San Francisco intriguing and liberating. Maya's Young Adult Life She became pregnant with her son, Clyde, at age seventeen. Maya had just earned her high school diploma and her dreams of attending college were fleeting. Instead, she took various waitressing and cooking jobs and was even the madam of a brothel. Maya yearned for stardom in her young adult years, but her dancing career did not take off. Soon, Maya figured out that she needed to find a way...
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